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The brutal killer with a machine gun and a pistol that left four dead in a medical building in Oklahoma yesterday was looking for the doctor who operated on him, “as well as anyone else who came forward,” US authorities said today.
The assailant, identified as Michael Louis, opened fire last night on the orthopedic office of Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, police chief Wendell Franklin told reporters today, in what appears to have been just revenge for unsatisfactory medical treatment.
Louis had been in the hospital on May 19 for a back surgery, which was performed by Dr. Preston Phillips, and was released from the hospital on May 24, Franklin was quoted as saying by US media.
Louis had called several times to complain of pain and had asked for additional treatment. He had met with Phillips on Tuesday and had called again on Wednesday to ask for help, Commander Franklin announced.
He added that it was not yet clear what ‘extra treatment’ Louis was seeking.
The Saint Francis Hospital website identifies Phillips as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine and joint reconstruction surgeries.
Just an hour before the series of killings, Louis had purchased the AR-15 assault rifle from a local store as well as the assault rifle at a pawn shop.
Police recovered dozens of cartridges from the shooting scene, as well as a letter written by Louis making it clear he wanted to kill Phillips and “anyone who tried to stop him” after surgery that left him in pain, Franklin said.
“He blamed Dr. “Phillips for the constant pain after surgery,” Franklin added.
In addition to Phillips, Franklin identified Wednesday’s victims as Dr. Stephanie J. Husen, receptionist Amanda Green and patient William Love.
“And in fact they had tried to stop Louis on his personal mission of revenge, so he opened fire on anyone who came in front of him,” said the Tulsa police chief.
Louis killed himself after the massacre, authorities said.
“He had entered the clinic from a parking lot on the second floor, having parked there earlier during his treatment,” Franklin said.
Police had arrived at the hospital campus minutes after the announcement of an active attacker. They had heard gunshots coming from the second floor where they had subsequently found the four victims along with the dead attacker.
Saint Francis Hospital said yesterday it was mourning the loss of “four family members” but did not identify the victims.
They added today that appointments at the orthopedic clinic “will be closed until further notice”.
Wednesday’s attack was the 233rd of its kind in the US, according to the group’s calculations Gun Violence Archive.
One week earlier an 18-year-old killed 19 students and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
Flags in Oklahoma will be hoisted at half-mast for four days, officials said.
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